UC - Why Won't You Tell Me What's Going To Happen?

I never did see the movie the Titanic.  Aside from the lack of aliens and explosions (things that are usually required in any movie I want to see), I knew how it was going to end.  To me, that kills the whole story.  Sometimes I won't even watch trailers for movies I've really looked forward to seeing.

Given that I hate having an ending, or even major plot developments "spoiled," it's kind of abhorrent to me to give readers a outline of the story before it starts.  I can't recall the story, but I remember it was wonderfully angsty and I was really enjoying it.  It just got to an absolutely heart-wrenching bit, I was torn up inside and loving it.  That's when I accidentally read the chapter end notes, where the author assured everyone that it would be HEA.

I stopped reading.  It was totally ruined for me.

Now, I'm not saying anyone who reads my stuff should share these feelings, but I have not and will not give away major plot bits.  I always have a tough time summarizing a story because I don't want to give anything away, which is why my story summaries suck.  LOL

I see every story as a mystery - not necessarily a "who done it," but a mystery of what the characters will do, why they do what they do, and how whatever the conflict may be is resolved.  If someone tells me it will be okay in the end, HEA will happen, the main character will get cancer and die in the end, the main character will get cancer and live in the end, or the boy is going to have to shoot his dog because he might have rabies...well, that ruins it for me.  I would no longer read it.  Why bother, if you already know what will happen?

Now I realize not everyone agrees with that, and I don't expect you to have the same reaction I do if you hear what's to come.  But you won't hear it from me. I don't even like that my darling beta knows how UC ends...

I may have a teaser out today, but I can't swear to it...this next chapter still needs some serious work.

Fic Rec/Excuses

"Where's my Offside update, woman???"

Okay, I really don't rec too many stories, becasue I really don't read that many.  Other stories tend to get in the day of writing and get me thinking about things other than the story I'm trying to create, so I just don't read.  There's one that's been out there for a while that I have heard people mention here and there, but I never took a look at it before yesterday.

I haven't written a single word since then.

In Your World, the Amishward story by solostintwilight.  It's simply incredible.  It's a work in progress, which drives me nuts, because I have to wait now with everyone else, but it's one of the most beautiful stories I've read in twilight fanfic land.  The telling of Amish life, obviously well researched, and the simplicity of Edward and Bella's love is simply a joy to read.  There is a bit of angst, but not high on my scale, so you should be okay.  It's well written and the chapters flow together perfectly.  Go check it out while you wait for my lame ass to update again.

Post Vacation Activities

Vacation officially over, and I'm washing a whole lot of clothes today!  I'm also trying to catch up with reviews, and have gotten through maybe half of the Offside ones.  I haven't started UC - actually, haven't read many since chapter 24, but I hope to get through some of those, too.  I'm going to attempt to catch up with the UC thread, if that is possible!  If you missed them, I did post chapters 61 and 62 of Offside.


Next Unexpected Circumstances Chapter - it's going to be a little while, folks.  Believe it or not, I think it will be better that way.  It will be a long chapter, and I think it's a little more than half way there.  Hopefully it will post next weekend.  I will get a teaser out this week, though - probably on Tuesday, as tradition dictates. :)

Blog change - If you haven't noticed, the glorious Robin has added the ability to respond to comments on this blog.  Now I can be clear on which comment I'm answering.  Feel free to agree/disagree with comments, but stay civil, please.  I've only ever deleted one comment of this blog, and would like to kep it that way. :)

Back from vacation!

Since I had no internet while I was off galavanting about in the Caribbean, I couldn't post any blog updates.  I did, however, write some up anyway.  Here's what I would have posted over the past few days!

Blog post for July 3- Nassau.

I feel like I'm in Jamaica, or at least a place that wants you to think you are in Jamaica. I  am on a beach so I am happy. Water here is beautiful and I'm watching my kids build a sandcastle. By kids I mean the two I gave birth to and my hubby  The castle is huge.  I'll post up a picture of it eventually.


July 5th

St Thomas- US Virgin Islands.
Just got done with parasailing. Both hubby and daughter got seasick and puked. They both headed back to the cabin-done for the day (it's 3:30 in the afternoon). My son wants to call his girlfriend.  Must be time for savage to find a bar...

Found local bar. It's been damn fun. Hanging out with a group of locals in a little hut bar called the Pegleg Bar.  Kaz us the bartender and she rocks. Definitely worth the stop if you ever find yourself in the US Virgin Islands. I've heard some very interesting stories, and seen pics of a ferry boat someone apparently 'landed' on a pile if rocks. Someone needs some driving lessons, that's all I'm saying about that. The rum punches are awesome and great price.  I'm a happy savage.

July 6
Went snorkeling at St Maarten.  It was very cool, but I am now sunburned pretty bad. Not sure I'd I will be able to sit tomorrow!!  Fun Latin party on the ship tonight.

July 8
Still suffering with the sunburn, but finding it hard to care too much, since someone keeps bringing me fresh piña coladas.  I am currently sitting in the shade and working on the next UC chapter. It's about time for lunch, so I'll probably take a break from taking a break here soon. I shall be back in Florida tomorrow morning, and back home tomorrow night!

***
I'll post some more later.  Maybe even a few pictures. :)

Vacation Time!

One last little note before I head off on vacation.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I'll probably post something here tomorrow before the ship actually takes off.  I'll probably have 1-2 Offside updates today/tomorrow as well.  Lots of writing time on the plane!

I know many are not happy with the direction Unexpected Circumstances is taking.  I finally read some of the last chapter reviews - hehe.  Yeah, I'm a little behind in that department.  The Twilighted Thread has exploded as well.  I get it - I do.  You're invested in the characters and you don't want anything bad to happen.  I also understand if this is too much or hits a personal button - no hard feelings on anyone who feels they can't go on or has decided to wait until it's done.  I don't blame ya.  :)  I am thrilled people love these two so much that their heartache is your own.  That really means a lot to me!

I have a little less than two hours to finish getting ready, drag my kids out of bed and head to the airport!  I'll still be on Twitter and whatever until tomorrow afternoon, so it isn't complete internet bye-bye just yet!  

Love ya all!

Teaser Tuesday! UC Chapter 25

OK Unexpected Circumstances fans!  Here's the teaser you may or may not have been waiting to read...

***

Edward pulled me against his chest, and I felt his lips on top of my head.  I had no words to speak and tried to instead comprehend what had been told to me.  It was clear Edward needed to secure his successor as quickly as possible for the good of all of Forks, but why did he take such a route to that end?

“I had no time to really think on it,” he said, his voice again strained.  “I should have, but again my lack of forethought has harmed us.”

I reached up and placed my hand against his jaw, my fingers working their way into the strands of hair at his neck.  I turned my head to press my lips to his chest where his robe fell open.

“The only other option I could see before me was that of concubine,” he finally whispered.  “Your place as my wife would remain secure, and Aro would not be able to begrudge me the alternative.  I told them I would take Angela as such, and she would provide us with the children we must have.”

I finally spoke.

“Why Angela?”

“You love her,” Edward said, his voice husky in his throat.  “You will love the children she bears as if they were your own.  They will be your own.  No one but you will raise them.”

“Does she know?”

“She does by now,” he responded.

“Has she any say in the matter?”

“Of course,” he replied.  “And…if you would prefer…if someone else was…”

Edward’s voice trailed off, and his hand left my back to cover his own eyes.

“I cannot believe I am speaking to you about such a thing,” he said.

“What if she refuses?”

“I will not…I would not…if she did not agree,” Edward said softly and shook his head.  “But if she does not come willingly, the other option placed before me is Princess Jessica.”

“She would become your concubine?  A princess?”

“No,” he said softly, “she would not.”

The meaning of his words hit me harder than the original news.

***

There are rocks, there are hard places, and then there's the place these two are stuck.

Oooo!!! New Story Idea! (Sarcasm set to kill)

Okay - so how is this for a new story idea?  A really well-adjusted, attractive man (we'll call him...um...Edward!) and a really nice, cute, issue-free woman (um...Bella!  Yeah!  Short for Isabella!), meet in a quiet club where the music isn't too loud and only non-alcoholic drinks are served.  They chat about their friends in the suburbs, their childhood pets who are now gone (but all died of natural causes), and discover they kind of like each other.  They exchange phone numbers.

A week later, one calls the other, and they go out for a nice dinner.

Three days later, they go see a nice, romantic comedy.  No actual sex displayed, and no foul language.

A week after that, they realize the've passed the "three date thing," and have missionary, fade to black sex.

A few months later, they get engaged.

Then they get married.  The wedding is perfect.  Her dress has some lace or something on it from...I dunno...France?  Really - I don't give a flying fuck.

They have a kid.

Or two.

And a dog.

Maybe a cat.

Are you puking yet?   Because I am.

I've never written "nice."  Not now, not ever.  It bores me to death.  I like fucked up, completely mentally warped characters.  They entertain me, and I like getting in their heads.  I don't do it for the sake of sensationalism or to increase my review count.  I like feedback - it helps me write better.  Send in in an email, comment here on the blog, send me a PM, a tweet - whatever.  Reviewing is there for your convenience, but I give less of a flying fuck about review count than French lace.  Those who are reading this blog regularly probably already know that. 

I have no problem with people not liking what I write.  To each their own.  I don't mind people saying my stories suck - everyone gets to express an opinion.   If you as a reader want to consider the topic exploitation, that is your prerogative. 

However, I am mildly insulted that it was suggested I choose my material for the sake of sensationalism or to get more reviews.  I am definitely insulted at the suggestion that the review counts on my stories are high due to my choice of "exploitative" topics and not because I'm a damn good writer with good story ideas.  I choose my topics because I have a degree in psychology, have spent years of my life studying abnormal brain function, the behavior of victims, the reasons perpetrators of crimes become perpetrators, and general effective and ineffective behavior modification models.  Yeah - I know what I'm talking about, and I know how to describe it.  THAT is why I get a lot of reviews  I love trying to figure out why people do what they do.

Obviously, a lot of you do as well, or you wouldn't follow me from story to story.  Thanks for that. :)

That's why I write, people.  For your enjoyment and mine.  Period.  Exclamation point.  Maybe a semicolon.  Darn it!  Where's my beta?!?!?

(Oh - and that bit at the top?  That was showing, not telling.  That's a writing thing.  I know a little about that, too.)

/sarcasm

UC Coming Along

I've made a decent amount of progress on the next UC chapter this weekend.  Things still look to be on track to get it done before I leave, but I still can't swear to anything.  It's probably more than half way done, but that's still a lot left.  I've got to get all the packing done for me and kids and get everything ready to go for our trip on Friday.  Why is getting ready for vacation so stressful???

A couple of people have asked what would happen to Offside while I am away.  Well, I guess I thought it was obvious, but you won't be getting daily updates.  We will stop at a couple of ports, of course, but I have no idea if I will be able to get WiFi or not.  I kind of doubt it.  If I can, I may try to post something up, but that is EXTREMELY doubtful.  Don't count on anything.  Chances are, you won't hear a peep out of me between July 2 and July 10.

Writing does relax me, however, especially when I write while staring at the ocean!  So expect updates pretty readily when I return. 

Have a great week!

P.S. - there will be a teaser tomorrow!

Unexpected Circumstances Heartfail

It's been a few days since the last update, and I've decided to come out of hiding.  Really, it's just been a crazy-busy week, and I'm only on here now because I had to work early this morning. I'm done with work for now, and there's no way I can get back to sleep at this point.

I finally started reading the UC reviews.  I read the first few when I posted the chapter, and decided not to read any more for a while.  A bunch of you sneaky readers caught on to that, and started putting your opinions in your Offside Reviews!  Cheaters!!  LOL  Very clever, I suppose.  I'm thrilled everyone feels so strongly about Sir Edward and Isabella.

I'm not going to talk to much about the chapter right now.  I know some people are freaked out, and you should be. I'll remind you all of the general angst warning surrounding everything I write. Feel free to stop reading if you need to.  It will be a while (I still think this story is going to be around 40 chapters), but you can always wait until the end, read the last line, then pick up where you left off.  It makes my OCD shudder to consider this, but to each their own.  :)

Most of my thoughts on this chapter which I am willing to share can be found on the Twilighted thread, and I can't seem to get logged in this morning.  In general, there has been and will continue to be method to my madness.  I'm still not telling anyone what comes next.  If you feel the heartache is too much, bail or wait a while and come back when it's done.  I promise I won't hold it against you!

The next chapter will be out when it's done and beta'd.  If that happens before July 1st, it will post before I go on vacation.  I will do my best to try to make that happen, but my kids just got back from their summer trips and I'm spending time with them first.  Then I am single-parent while Mr. Savage is gallivanting about (well...he's going away on business) all next week.  The only promise I can make is to try.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Sunday Surveys!

Well - the title sounds good!  Maybe I'll try to do one every week!

I'd like some feedback on just what you would like to read next.  I'm not going to start anything right away, but I'd like to have some ideas going forward.  Now is your chance to have some say in what comes out of my fingers when Unexpected Circumstances and Offside are complete!

Survey - new story ideas